Horm Metab Res 1993; 25(5): 253-255
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1002090
Originals Basic

© Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart · New York

Agnus Castus Extracts Inhibit Prolactin Secretion of Rat Pituitary Cells

G. Sliutz1 , P. Speiser2 , A. M. Schultz2 , J. Spona2 , R. Zeillinger2
  • 1Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • 2First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

1991

1992

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Summary

In our studies on prolactin inhibition by plant extracts we focused on the effects of extracts of Vitex agnus castus and its preparations on rat pituitary cells under basal and stimulated conditions in primary cell culture. Both extracts from Vitex agnus castus as well as synthetic dopamine agonists (Lisuride) significantly inhibit basal as well as TRH-stimulated prolactin secretion of rat pituitary cells in vitro and as a consequence inhibition of prolactin secretion could be blocked by adding a dopamine receptor blocker. Therefore because of its dopaminergic effect Agnus castus could be considered as an efficient alternative phytotherapeutic drug in the treatment of slight hyperprolactinaemia.